Combination pencil clip and sharpener



March 26, 1935. I A. OLSON 1,995,777

COMBINATION PENCI L CLIP AND SHARPENER Filed NOV. 1, 1954 Irivenl'or:

Patented Mar. 26, 1935 PATENT OFFICE CQMBINAT-ION PENCIL CLIP AND SHARPENER I An rew Olson, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor of one-half to Harry Nystrom, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application November 1, 1934, Serial No. 750,942

10 Claims.

This invention relates to pocket clips and sharpeners for pencils and the primary object is to provide in a single unit an efficient sharpening device having parts that are common to the other thereby contributing to the novelty, practicability,

lren away for purpose of illustration- Fig. 3 is a diametrical, sectional elevation on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1, and'with the clamping ring in its upper position which it assumes when the article is used as a pocket clip.

Fig. 4 isa sectional elevation similar to Fig. 3 but showing the clamping ring in its lowered position into which it is moved when the device is tobe used as a pencil sharpener.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 4

7 but showing a pencil in sharpening position.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the device similar to. Fig. .3 but showing it inverted and ap plied to a pencil in the form of a pocket'clip.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, cross sectional view as on the line '77 in Fig. l. i

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, cross sectional view as on the line 8-8 in'Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing more particularly and by reference characters, 10' designates a cylindrical tube which is of such a size as to snugly receive a conventional size of pencil A. This tube is open at both ends so that the pencil may freely extend therethrough as shown in Fig. 6. Rigidly secured to the tube 10 as by welding or a rivet 11, is an arm consisting of a spring portion 12 and a projecting, relatively stiff portion 13. The spring 12 has a normal tendency to spread from the tube 10 to the extent indicated in Fig. 3 and when so permitted by the position of a clamping ring 14, which ring is slidable on the tube 10 and is preferably recessed, as shown at 15 in Fig. 7, to receive the spring 12.

When the ring 14 is in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and. 6, the spring is in a position to be flexed, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 6. However, when the ring 14 is moved to the opposite end of the tube, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, then the spring 12 is rigidly disposed with respect to the tube and thereby also forms a rigid supporting connection as between the tube and the member 13. It may here be noted that when the ring 14 is in the position last referred to the member 13 engages in a notch 16 in the adjacent end of the tube so as to thereby render the arm more rigid, which is particularly desirable under this condition inasmuch as there is a substantial twisting strain on the arm portion 13 when the device is used as a pencil sharpener.

The arm portion 13 is longitudinally slotted as at 17, and one of the side edges defining this slot projects slightly inwardly of the opposite edge and is sharpened as indicated at 18 (Fig. 3) so that it may engage the wood portion of a pencil when the latter is inserted in the tube 10 from the opposite end, as shown in Fig. 5. The arm 13 is also inclined with respect to the axis of the tube so that it will trim the end of the pencil down to a conical form when the pencil is rotated with respect to the holder.

It may be noted that the outer surface of the tube 10 is preferably corrugated longitudinally so as to form a better grip for the fingers, yet not interfere with the sliding action of the clamping ring 14. The outer surface of this ring also. may be roughened as by knurling or corrugations, to facilitate moving .it up and down on the tube.

When the device is to be used as a pencil holdor or so called pocket clip, then it is applied to the pencil as indicated in Fig. 6, the collar 14 having been raised to the upper end of thetube to thereby give flexibility to the clip portion 12--13.

As above described, the spring 12 has a normal tendency to spread from the tube, as shown in Fig. 3, but it will of course be understood that this tendency is very limited, and need not necessarily exist at all if the spring portion 12 is The only purpose of the spring 12 is of course to press the clip portion 13 into contact with the pencil when the device is used as a holder. On the other hand, when the device is to be used as a sharpener, then the spring portion 12 has no flexing function Whatever, and its sole purpose is then to render the sharpener portion rigid with respect to the holder, and this it does when the clamping ring 14 is moved to the opposite end of the tube, at which time it not only holds the unit 12--13 in rigid contact with the tube, but also maintains it in engagement withthe notch 16 to thereby further secure it against any possible twisting action during the sharpening operation.

After the pencil has been sharpened it is of course only necessary to release the sharpening unit by moving the clamping ring 14 to the opposite end of the tube 10, after which the device may be placed upon the pencil, as shown in Fig. 6, with the point of the pencil either up or down, depending upon which way it is desired to carry the pencil in the pocket.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my .invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, a member for receiving a pencil, an arm secured to and carried by the member for clamping engagement with respect to the pencil when the same is in the member, means for rendering the arm relatively rigid with respect to the member, and a cutting edge carried by the arm.

2. In a device of the character described, a member for receiving a pencil and permitting rotation of the pencil therein, an arm secured to the member and having a bladed portion extending longitudinally therebeyond and at an angle to the axis of the pencil when in sharpening position, and means for rendering said arm alternately rigid and flexible with respect to the member whereby when in a relatively flexible condition it may serve as a retaining clip.

3. A combination pencil clip and sharpener comprising a member adapted to rotatably receive a pencil, a blade supporting arm flexibly secured to the member and adapted to cooperate with the pencil to form a clip, and releasable means for rendering the arm rigid with respect to the member.

4. A combination pencil clip and sharpener comprising a member adapted to rotatably re ceive a pencil, a blade supporting arm flexibly secured to the member and adapted to cooperate with the pencil to form a clip, and releasable means for rendering the arm rigid with respect to the member, said means including a ring slidable on the member.

5. A combination pencil clip and sharpener comprising a member adapted to rotatably receive a pencil, a blade supporting arm flexibly secured to the member and adapted to cooperate with the pencil to form a clip, and a clamping ring slidably engaging the member and arm.

6. A combination pencil clip and sharpener comprising a member adapted to rotatably receive a pencil, a blade supporting arm flexibly secured to the member and adapted to cooperate with the pencil to form a clip, and means longitudinally movable with respect to the member and arm for rendering them relatively rigid.

'7. In a device of the character described, a tubular member, an arm secured at one end to one end of the member with its other end extending beyond the other end of the member, said extended end of the arm having an angularly disposed cutting edge, a portion of the arm adjacent the member being yieldable, and means for rendering said spring portion of the arm non-yieldable.

8. In a device of the character described, a tubular member, an arm secured at one end to one end of the member with its other end extending beyond the other end of the member, said extended end of the arm having an angularly disposed cutting edge, a portion of the arm adjacent the member being yieldable, and means for rendering said spring portion of the arm non-yieldable, said other end of the member having means for establishing interlocking engagement with the adjacent portion of the arm when said rendering means is actuated.

9. In a device of the character described, a tubular member, an arm secured at one end to one end of the member with its other end extending beyond the other end of the member, said extended end of the arm having an angularly disposed cutting edge, a portion of the arm adjacent the member being yieldable, and a clamping member slidably engaging the tubular member and said arm.

10. In a device of the character described, a tubular member, an arm secured at one end to one end of the member with its other end extending beyond the other end of the member, said extended end of the arm having an angularly disposed cutting edge, a portion of the arm adjacent the member being yieldable, and means for rendering said spring portion of the arm non-yieldable, said tubular member having portions of its outer surface provided with longitudinally disposed corrugations.

ANDREW OLSON. 

